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Croatian Court Approves Extradition of Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Blasts to Germany
By Drooid · · How we work
Extradition Ruling by Croatian Court
On Sept 24, the County Court in Pula, Croatia, issued a decision permitting the extradition of Vladimir Z., a Ukrainian citizen, to Germany. The ruling follows a European arrest warrant that led to his arrest in August at a hotel in the coastal city of Pula. The court’s order is subject to appeal, which Vladimir Z.’s lawyer, Mykola Katerynchuk, has announced he will pursue, describing the decision as biased and political.
Legal Basis and Jurisdiction
German prosecutors have characterized Vladimir Z. as a scuba diver who participated in a group that organized the 2022 explosions of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and the Nord Stream 2 branch. German courts have asserted jurisdiction because the damaged sections of the pipelines terminate in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and their destruction impacted Germany’s energy security and internal safety. Accordingly, the case is being handled under German law.
Suspect Background and Related Cases
Vladimir Z. denies any involvement in the sabotage. A second suspect, former Ukrainian army officer Serhii K., was charged in July with orchestrating the blasts while acting on behalf of Ukrainian state entities. Serhii K. was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and transferred to Germany in November 2025; he also denies participation in the attacks near the Danish island of Bornholm.
Official Reactions
German authorities emphasize that the extradition aligns with their investigative mandate over the Nord Stream incidents, which Russia and Western nations have described as sabotage. Ukrainian officials, represented by Katerynchuk, contend that the proceedings are politically motivated and have pledged to appeal the Croatian court’s decision.
Next Steps
The Croatian court will review any appeal filed by Vladimir Z.’s legal team before the extradition can be finalized. If upheld, German prosecutors will continue their investigation and potential prosecution of the suspect in relation to the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions.